Biden plans speech to gay donors

Vice President Biden will speak to an influential group of gay donors next month, Bloomberg reported on Monday, adding new fuel to speculation about his 2016 plans.

According to the report, Biden on May 2 will keynote a gathering of gay philanthropists called OutGiving, which is organized by the millionaire entrepreneur Tim Gill.

{mosads}The gathering provides “unique opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and allied donors to gather in a private setting to engage in conversation with each other and with respected LGBT and allied leaders about ways to advance equality through philanthropy,” according to its website.

“The vice president has been a true ally for LGBT equality,” Gill said in an email obtained by Bloomberg News.

“From his long-time leadership on preventing violence against women to his historic support for marriage equality and global LGBT human rights, Vice President Biden has been a champion for LGBT issues.”

Gill has also created a network of LGBT political donors who have worked, usually quietly, to boost candidates who support gay rights and punish those who don’t.

The visit to OutGiving raises new questions about Biden’s intentions in the 2016 presidential race. The vice president has not ruled out a run, though he has not moved to build an organization that could quickly put a campaign into gear.

But the appearance is also reflective of Biden’s position as one of the most prominent Democrats backing civil rights for LGBT people.

He famously declared his support for same-sex marriage rights during a 2012 appearance on “Meet the Press,” pushing President Obama to go public with his own support. He has also said that tackling discrimination against transgender people is “the civil rights issue of our time.”